LOC12:30
09:30 GMT
LONDOMN, June 21 (KUNA) -- A British soldier died in hospital in the UK
eight days after being wounded in Afghanistan, taking the UK death toll in the
conflict to 300, the Ministry of Defence said Monday.
The serviceman, from 40 Commando, was injured in a blast in the Sangin area
of Helmand Province on June 12. He died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in
Birmingham, central England, yesterday morning with his family at his side.
Major Renny Bulmer, spokesman for 40 Commando, based in Taunton, Somerset,
England, said, "He was the seventh member of 40 Commando to die since the
Royal Marines took over command of the notoriously volatile Sangin area from
3rd Battalion," The Rifles in April.
Prime Minister David Cameron led tributes to the sacrifices made by the 300
British servicemen and women who have died since operations in Afghanistan
began in October 2001.
"It is a moment, I think, for the whole country to reflect on the
incredible service and sacrifice and dedication that our armed services give
on our behalf.
"We are paying a high price for keeping our country safe, for making our
world a safer place, and we should keep asking why we are there and how long
we must be there.
"The truth is that we are there because the Afghans are not yet ready to
keep their own country safe and to keep terrorists and terrorist training
camps out of their country. That's why we have to be there," Cameron said in a
statement issued by Downing Street.
The UK currently has about 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, of whom 8,000 are
based in Helmand, the country's most dangerous province.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox said, "British forces in Afghanistan are
protecting our national security as part of an international coalition of more
than 45 nations, working alongside the Afghan National Army and police.
"Their efforts will bring security and stability to Afghanistan and prevent
it from once again becoming a base from which terrorists can attack the UK and
our allies around the world."(end)
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